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Half of adults impacted by mental health problems

Published: January 28, 2016

Almost half of adults have battled with a mental health condition at some point in their lives, according to new findings.

Research published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) revealed that one in four Brits have been diagnosed with depression and other conditions. In addition, 18 per cent experienced symptoms. Furthermore, women were the most likely to suffer from mental ill-health.

When questioned, 26 per cent of all adults were diagnosed with at least one mental illness. Worryingly, the poll also showed that 18 per cent of adults reported having experienced a mental illness but were not diagnosed.

Speaking about the findings, Rachel Craig, head of health surveys at NatCen Social Research, which collected the data, said: “This survey leaves us in no doubt as to the prevalence of mental ill health in England. As many as one in four people suffer from a mental illness at some time in their lives and one in five with depression. Despite it affecting so many of us, prejudice against people with a mental illness still exists and there is some resistance to the provision of community care for people suffering with mental ill health.

“Men are more likely to hold prejudiced and less tolerant views than women. But there is evidence that if you know someone with a mental illness you are less likely to hold negative views.”

The research polled more than 5,000 adults about their mental health experience, and it showed that depression was the most common to be diagnosed, with 24 per cent of women suffering from the condition, compared to 13 per cent of men.

Women were more likely than men to have attempted suicide, with seven per cent stating they had tried this, compared to four per cent of men.

The report highlights the extent to which people suffer from mental health problems in the UK.

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